'Bengaluru is a brand..': Karnataka minister HK Patil on renaming Ramanagara district

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 26 (ANI): State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil, speaking on Friday, cited the aspirations and demands of the people and their representatives as the driving force behind the decision to merge Ramanagara district with Bengaluru South.
While speaking to ANI, HK Patil said, "It is because of the aspirations and representations made by people's representatives and people at large. It is to get the Brand Bengaluru name. Bengaluru is a brand, you can't say 'no' to that. If it helps everyone, it is fine."

Criticising the decision, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) MP Pralhad Joshi stated that the Congress party opposes "Ram," which is why they have renamed Ramanagara district.
"This shows their allergy towards Ram and Ram Mandir, even to the name of Ram. They are quite allergic. They used to do it while we were constructing the Ram Mandir. But with the decision to rename Ramanagara, Congress party and Congress Government have proven that they are against Ram. Nobody had demanded this. MP Manjunath had also written that the name should not be changed. But this is being done for vote bank politics and greed for real estate. Siddaramaiah says that when it comes to Ram, he has Ram in his name. If that is the case, why are you doing this? I strongly condemn this and I ask, demand and urge them to withdraw this proposal, otherwise BJP will strongly oppose this and the local unit will agitate for this," Joshi said while speaking to ANI.

The Karnataka cabinet on Friday approved the renaming of Ramanagara district to Bengaluru South, a decision followed by an announcement made by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

"The (state) cabinet has approved to rename Ramanagara district to Bengaluru South district," Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil announced, while addressing a press conference on Friday. (ANI)